Evidence that all removal vehicles have passed an inspection by an inspector designated by the Board; and

Evidence that the mortuary transport service is bondable and carries liability insurance to cover each registered transporter employed by the mortuary transport service.

10.29.21.03 Requirements for a Permit.

B.

23

An individual may not operate a mortuary transport service in the State without a permit issued by the Board.

10.29.21.03 Requirements for a Permit.

C.

24

If the permit holder is the sole employee of the mortuary transport service, the permit holder shall also be registered as a transporter.

10.29.21.03 Requirements for a Permit.

D.

25

The permit holder shall return an expired permit to the Board as soon as possible.

10.29.21.03 Requirements for a Permit.

E.

26

The permit holder shall be responsible for registering all transporters in their employ.

10.29.21.03 Requirements for a Permit.

F.

27

To qualify as a registered transporter, an individual shall:

Be at least 18 years of age;

Be of good moral character;

Hold a current valid driver's license in good standing; and

Be employed by a mortuary transport service that holds a permit issued by the Board.

10.29.21.04 Requirements for Registration.

A.

28

Before registering as a registered transporter, an individual shall complete the following Board approved coursework options:

An OSHA or MOSHA training course.

A course in blood-borne pathogens;

A course on infection control; and

A law course on:

Health-General Article 5-513, Annotated Code of Maryland, excluding references to inspections of an out-of-state facility, with the objective of understanding the proper treatment of the remains with dignity; and

This chapter.

10.29.21.04 Requirements for Registration.

B. Required Coursework

29

A signed application on a form provided by the Board;

Written, verified evidence satisfactory to the Board that the applicant has:

Completed the application for a criminal history records check using the process required by CJIS and designating that the check be sent to the Board; and

Paid all fees required by CJIS

Evidence of successful completion of the coursework required by B of this regulation; and

A copy of the individual's driving record, including probation before judgement findings.

10.29.21.04 Requirements for Registration.

C. To apply for a registration as a registered transporter, an individual shall submit:

30

A registered transporter shall maintain a current mailing address, excluding a post office box address, on file with the Board.

10.29.21.04 Requirements for Registration.

D.

31

The permit of the mortuary transport service that employs the registered transporter shall be prominently displayed on the person of the registered transporter by means of an identification card. The identification card shall include the following information:

A current picture of the registered transporter;

The name of the mortuary transport service that employs the registered transporter; and

The permit number of the mortuary transport service.

10.29.21.04 Requirements for Registration.

E.

32

The permit holder shall confiscate the identification card of a transporter who is no longer in the permit holder's employ and return the identification card to the Board.

10.29.21.04 Requirements for Registration.

F.

33

The Board may not register an applicant until the Board has:

Received and reviewed the criminal history records information; and

Approved the completed application.

10.29.21.04 Requirements for Registration.

G.

34

Before using a body bag for removal of human remains, the registered transporter shall inspect the body bad to ensure that the body bad is fully closable and that there are no holes, rips, or tears in the body bag.

10.29.21.05 Procedures.

A.

35

All bodily fluids shall be considered as potentially infectious and dealt with appropriately.

Proper personnel protective equipment shall be available for use at all times.

Contaminated surfaces and equipment shall be cleaned with disinfectant immediately upon completion of the removal or as soon as possible after the removal.

10.29.21.05 Procedures.

B. Potentially infectious body fluids:

36

After each removal and as soon as possible, the registered transporter shall clean their hands using antiseptic hand cleanser and paper towels or antiseptic towelettes. As soon as possible thereafter, the registered transporter shall wash their hansd using hot running water and soap.

10.29.21.05 Procedures.

C.

37

The permit holder shall establish a written schedule for thorough cleaning, to be kept in the glove box of the removal vehicle, and method for cleaning the removal vehicle and equipment at least quarterly or as needed taking into account the use of the vehicle, the type of contamination present, and the human remains transferred.

10.29.21.05 Procedures.

D.

38

An individual authorizing removal shall be given an inventory in which the transporter has made note of all valuables found on the decedent for the individual's signature.

10.29.21.05 Procedures.

E.

39

A permit holder or transporter shall:

At all times treat the human remains being transported with the utmost dignity; and

Comply with the requirements of Health-General Article 5-513, Annotated Code of Maryland, except with regard to inspection of an out-of-State facility.

10.29.21.06 Prohibited Acts.

A.

40

Violate any federal, State, or local law or regulation or order a transporter to violate any federal, State, or local law or regulation.

10.29.21.06 Prohibited Acts.

B. A permit holder may not:

(1)

41

Employ a transporter who does not hold a registration issued by the Board;

10.29.21.06 Prohibited Acts.

B. A permit holder may not:

(2)

42

In signage or advertisement, use a name for the mortuary transport service that is different from the name of the mortuary transport service as it appears on the permit issued by the Board;

10.29.21.06 Prohibited Acts.

B. A permit holder may not:

(3)

43

Operate the Mortuary transport service in a manner that does not respect:

The dignity of the decedent; and

The public health

10.29.21.06 Prohibited Acts.

B. A permit holder may not:

(4)

44

Prevent or in any way inhibit the Board's designated inspector from inspecting a complaint or from inspecting a removal vehicle;

Allow an individual who is not an employee of the employing mortuary transport service or of the funeral establishment engaging the services of the mortuary transport service to accompany the registered transporter while in the performance of the registered transporter's official duties.;

10.29.21.06 Prohibited Acts.

C. A Registered Transporter May Not:

(3)

54

Make arrangements for burial or cremation of the human remains unless appropriately licensed or certified by the Board of the Office;

10.29.21.06 Prohibited Acts.

C. A Registered Transporter May Not:

(4)

55

Unless removing and transporting more than one human remains from different locations, fail to transport human remains driectly to the location agreed upon by the individual with the right to final disposition of the human remains or to the location requested by the mortician or funeral director;

10.29.21.06 Prohibited Acts.

C. A Registered Transporter May Not:

(5)

56

Fail to notify the Board of a change or the registered transporter's address within 30 days;

10.29.21.06 Prohibited Acts.

C. A Registered Transporter May Not:

(6)

57

Fail to display prominently on their person, in accordance with Regulation .04E of this chapter, the permit number of the mortuary transport service for which the registered transporter is employed;

10.29.21.06 Prohibited Acts.

C. A Registered Transporter May Not:

(7)

58

Dress or behave in an unprofessional manner while performing their official duties;

10.29.21.06 Prohibited Acts.

C. A Registered Transporter May Not:

(8)

59

Display in any removal vehicle any marking, sticker, or other indication of passage of a Board inspection other than the sticker issed by the Board.

10.29.21.06 Prohibited Acts.

C. A Registered Transporter May Not:

(9)

60

Advertise or solicit business directly to the family of a dying person or recently deceased person;

10.29.21.06 Prohibited Acts.

C. A Registered Transporter May Not:

(10)

61

Offer goods or services other than the service a permit authorizes the permit holder to provide;

10.29.21.06 Prohibited Acts.

C. A Registered Transporter May Not:

(11)

62

Sign a death certificate;

10.29.21.06 Prohibited Acts.

C. A Registered Transporter May Not:

(12)

63

Upon arrival at a location for the purpose of removing and transporting human remains, fail to:

Verbally identify themselves as a registered transporter; and

Identify the entity for whom they are removing and transporting human remains;

10.29.21.06 Prohibited Acts.

C. A Registered Transporter May Not:

(13)

64

Perform their official duties in an unsanitary manner or in a manner that does not observe the Centers for Disease Control's Guidelines on Universal Precautions; or

10.29.21.06 Prohibited Acts.

C. A Registered Transporter May Not:

(14)

65

Eat, drink, or smoke in the removal vehicle while in the performance of their official duties.

10.29.21.06 Prohibited Acts.

C. A Registered Transporter May Not:

(15)

66

Be of appropriate size for the transport of human remains;

Have windows tinted to the extent that human remains are obscured from the public view;

Have a cargo bay which:

Is fully enclosed; and

Is designed to prevent co-mingling or shifting of human remains while in transit; and

Have a floor which is a nonporous, impervious surface.

10.29.21.07 Vehicle Standards.

A. A Removal Vehicle Shall:

67

A removal stretcher and litter, each with a leakproof pouch; and

A universal precaution kit which shall include the following:

A red bio-waste bag;

A heavy disaster pouch;

Goggles;

Booties;

A mask;

Disposable gloves;

A clean or disposable apron;

Antiseptic hand cleaner;

Disinfectant spray;

Clean towels; and

A first-aid kit

10.29.21.07 Vehicle Standards.

B. A Removal Vehicle Shall Include at Least the Following Equipment:

68

Before the sale of a removal vehicle, the permit holder shall have the vehicle disinfected.

10.29.21.07 Vehicle Standards.

C.

69

Removal vehicles shall be inspected by a Board designated inspector at least every 2 years starting from the date of first inspection.

10.29.21.07 Vehicle Standards.

D.

70

A removal vehicle which has passed a Board inspection shall prominently display a Board-issued sticker on the vehicle attesting to passage of the inspection.

The Following Fees Related to Mortuary Transport Services are Established by the Board:

B.

74

$400

10.29.21.08 Fees

The Following Fees Related to Mortuary Transport Services are Established by the Board:

C. Late Fee (Permit)

75

$350 + initial fee

10.29.21.08 Fees

The Following Fees Related to Mortuary Transport Services are Established by the Board:

D. Reinstatement Fee

76

$40

10.29.21.08 Fees

The Following Fees Related to Mortuary Transport Services are Established by the Board:

E. Duplicate or Replacement Permit

77

$50

10.29.21.08 Fees

The Following Fees Related to Mortuary Transport Services are Established by the Board:

F. Duplicate Registration

78

$40

10.29.21.08 Fees

The Following Fees Related to Mortuary Transport Services are Established by the Board:

G. Permit or Registration Verification Fee

79

$40

10.29.21.08 Fees

The Following Fees Related to Mortuary Transport Services are Established by the Board:

H. Replacement Inspection Sticker

80

A mortuary transport service's permit expires 30 days after the effective date of this chapter.

10.29.21.09 Renewal Requirements

A.

81

After being issued an initial permit, a mortuary transport service's permit:

Expires on the date set by the Board, unless it is renewed for an additional term; and

May not be removed for a term longer than 2 years.

10.29.21.09 Renewal Requirements

B.

82

At least 2 months before the permit expires, the Board shall issue a renewal notice to the permit holder that states:

The date by which the renewal application shall be recieved by the Board for the renewal to be issued and mailed before the registration expires; and

The amount of the renewal fee.

10.29.21.09 Renewal Requirements

C.

83

The permit holder may renew the mortuary transport service permit for an additional term of 2 years if the permit holder:

Is otherwise entitled to be issued a permit;

Pays to the Board a renewal fee set forth in Regulation .08 fo this chapter; and

Submits to the Board:

A completed renewal application on the form that the Board requires;

An updated criminal history records check; and

An updated driving record, including probation before judgement findings.

10.29.21.09 Renewal Requirements

D.

84

The Board shall impose the late fee established in Regulation .08 of this chapter on any permit holder who fails to renew their permit 1 month before it expires.

10.29.21.09 Renewal Requirements

E.

85

A transporter's registration if effective provided:

It has not been suspended or revoked by the Board; and

The registered transporter is employed by a mortuary transport service which holds a permit issued by the Board.

10.29.21.09 Renewal Requirements

F.

86

Resubmit the application required by the Board for initial applicants;

Satisfy the education requirements stated in Regulation .04B of this chapter; and

Pay to the Board the reinstatement fee established by the Board in regulation .08 of this chapter.

10.29.21.10 Reinstatement Requirements

A. To reinstate an expired permit, an individual shall:

87

An individual whose registration has lapsed shall reapply to the Board under the procedure set forth in Regulation .04 of this chapter.

10.29.21.10 Reinstatement Requirements

B.

88

All vehicles registered by an establishment which is part of the same business stucture as a licensed Maryland funeral establishment shall be inspected by the Board at a convenient location within the State if the related establishment intends to transport Maryland decedents in their vehicles.